It's too early to even think about Christmas festivities.
Let me continue on my merry way until December 1st and then I'll bring out the Christmasy mugs, seasonal music, we'll set up the tree and decorate a few days after that. But please, not till December!
The more Christmases I've experienced, the less excited I am about all the hoopla. All I really want is to do some small but meaningful activities to celebrate and focus on the true reason for Christmas. And that gets me to thinking. It's really a 365-days-a-year celebration, isn't it?
I read a great post this morning from Susie Davis's blog. An excerpt:
There are 365 days in a year to remember people in thoughtful, inexpensive and free ways. A call, a text, a funny photo shared. An old fashion letter or a handmade loaf of bread. A hug, a smile, an unexpected visit. There's so many ways we can love one another... and so many days to choose from (my emphasis).
My thoughts exactly. Don't get me wrong. I do love giving gifts to people, but I don't enjoy the time pressure for determining 'what to give' and the rules for 'when to give'.
Thankfully, my immediate family are all on the same page when it comes to simple. We choose names and keep the spending limit to a minimum. We have a few traditions that we enjoy each year, and that's it. And we are understanding when we can't have everyone around the Christmas Day dinner table. With married children and those who are far from home, it's impossible to expect that every year.
Still, even with simple plans, it gets busy.
I hope I can set aside some hours to create a few handmade items, but time is limited in November/December due to work deadlines (and all the extra social outings at this time of year). I should have started last January. But usually the gifts I make early are already given away by the time December rolls around!
I am trying to determine how to keep it simple, yet special. With little stress. Time with family, friends, meaningful giving, laughter and celebration, and remembering those in need.
To begin with, I hope to stay far from shopping malls for the next month or so!
I have been working on a quilt and some little ornaments. know what you mean. Days slip away, and suddenly the rush is here.
ReplyDeleteTwo of our neighbors have decorations up already. (Drives me crazy) And let's not mention the stores already playing Christmas carols. I just want to be together with family, as many as can make it, to celebrate the day; the gifts don't really even matter these days. I rather gift others (kids who need toys, etc) then us who have so much. So maybe I'm a bit of a grinch myself?
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm with you. I have a young cousin who already has her tree up.
ReplyDeleteTraditionally we have always started decorating AFTER Thanksgiving. Mainly because when I worked, I had those 4 days off. Now as I get older, I just don't feel like doing it that early. But once the tree is up, I'm too tired to take the tree down and haul everything back into storage. Ugh!
I'll have no choice this year...I can barely get groceries once a week let alone add Christmas shopping. I know what I'm getting for who now to just send people out to get it for me...but I am in serious need of some Christmas cheer...so with tonight's snow fall I might be getting started earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteNot feeling frazzled. Yet. Hoping to keep it calm this year. The girls and I shopped at a huge thrift store last year, and maybe again this year. That was so rewarding, and fun. Just saving money makes me smile.
ReplyDelete